The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-22
GERMANY AND THE CHURCH.
Bismarck and Professor yirchow Take Par
in the Debate the Ecclesiasrical Bill.

Bismarck and Professor yirchow Take Part
in the Debate on the Ecclesiastical Bill.
BERLIN, April 2I-The debate on the eccesi-
astical bill was begun in the lower house of the
Prussan Diet to-day. DR.. Windthorst. the
Clerical leader, declared that the Center party
submitted to the Popes wishes in voting for the
bill as it passed the upper house. and without
offering any of the amendments which the Cen
ter had intended to propose as necessary to
make the bill entirely acceptable to the Catho-.
lies of Germany. The Center party. DR.. Wind
thorst added, will renew the fight against the
government if, at any time. Catholic interests
were affected.
Prince Bismarck declared that if the bill was
rejected he would abandon his Office as President
of the Ministry of State for Prussia and devote
his entire time to the service of the empire.
''As, perhaps he said. "a hard internal and
external struggle against the revolutionary
party is imminent, desire first to settle all un-
necessary internal disputes"
Herr Richter condemned the bill because. he
said. the provisions regarding the right of con-
frmation and protest by the state in ecclestical
appointments would promote ser Witty. He pro-
tested against the action of the Pope in interfer
ing in the elections for membership in the Re:chs
tag.
/ Prince Bismarck declared that Herr Richter
was more Catholic than the Pope. and added: 1T
uet be admitted that in the eyes of German
Catholics the papacy is foreign institution.
The result of the elections would have been the
same with or without the opposition of the Cen
trists. The result of the elections was not the
outcome of anxiety, but the EXPRESSION of
asperation at the attitude of the opposition under
Herr Richter. The point at issue not TO
combat political group, but to secure the pres
ervation of the empire from injury, and that
desired TO form majority for myself was quite
natural. All the national parties should endeavor
to meet the Curia so far it compatible
with state rights. This is feasible by adopting
the present bill as it has passed the Oberhaus.
Modification will increase the governments ar
duous task. In ali the phases of the Kultur-
kampf acted in accordance with my political
convictions. The bill comedies nothing that
will endanger the States authority" Prince
| Bismarck then appealed 20 the members of the
national parties to not reject the bill. The
| moment favorable for the conclusion of
peace in the religious war that had SO long been
| waged in Germany. He declared that consid-
eIable portion of his influence in Europe rested
on the confidence manifested in his political
honesty and trustworthiness by the representa-
| tives of the German people.
| Professor Virchow opposed the bill as meas
ure tending to strengthen the Pope's hierarch-
| ical power.
Prince Bismarck, in reply to this observed
/ that Professor Virchow opposed him as matter
| OF principle on all great questions. Il never,
| said the Prince, described the May laws as a
! final institution, but always as laws of combat.
| as is now the case with the anti-Socialists.
have solely striven to satisfy the lovers of peace
among the Catholics. / never aimed to keep a
portion of my fellow citizens under permanent
| pressure"
In refuting Herr Rchters statement as to the
| Pope's meddling in the recent elections, Prince
| Bismarck remarked that he (Rehter1 apparent
| ly did not even read the papers which he him
| self wrote or inspired, or he would know that in
| French political circles Russia's attitude was
very carefully watched, and that even with
most of the Nationalist papers of Russia the
! question whether France would be friend OF
enemy in evest of the adoption of any par
| ticular policy played very important part.
/ Herr Richter. continued the Chancellor had re
| ferred to Engla nd with great emphasis. which
was all very we'll if his references were correct
but before emphasizing them he ought to have
| understood the political situation and recent
events there. Prince Bismarck further sai6
] there was but little doubt that England had
| strong desire to obtain the Pope 8 support, frs
| against the Fenians and later against the Par
nellites. and, indeed, no secret had been made
| of the fact.
Herr Won GerIach expressed approval of tn,
/ bill, coupled with q wish that greater independ
ence might be granted the evangelical hurch
The debate was then adjourned until tomorrow